HAPPY VALLEY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- State officials have arrested 5 people they say illegally baited a bear with food before killing it.

TWRA officers say they've been investigating the people for an extended time in the Happy Valley area of Blount County. Now they've placed 26 charges between the 5. Names have not been released.

A spokesperson for TWRA says this is not bear hunting season and people should not try to bait bears using human food. They say that can make the bears dangerous for us.

"They'll show up on porches, break in houses, attack people, anytime they smell people food. They associate that with a free easy meal and it's not natural for them, it's not healthy," said Mitch Clure, TWRA spokesperson.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.